Man, 70, accused of trying to drown jet skier on crutches during fight at lake

HOPKINTON, Mass. (WCVB) - A Massachusetts man is charged with attempted murder after he allegedly held a 21-year-old man using crutches underwater during a fight at a lake.

Steven Dana, 70, was arraigned Thursday afternoon on multiple charges ranging from attempted murder by strangulation to assault and battery on a disabled person.

Prosecutors allege Dana started a fight with 21-year-old Mathew Duffy, who was using crutches, just before 7 p.m. Wednesday near a residents-only boat ramp on Lake Maspenock in Hopkinton.

According to a Hopkinton Police report, Dana shouted at Duffy, who was part of a group of jet skiers on the lake, that it was “time to go.” This turned into an argument that escalated into physical blows, with Dana allegedly slapping Duffy and dragging him into the lake.

Prosecutors say Dana held Duffy’s head underwater until the victim’s friends stepped in and pulled him off.

Duffy says he thought he was going to die during the incident. He has been using crutches since he was involved in a motorcycle accident a few months earlier, leaving him with lasting injuries.

“I was so scared for my life because I can’t fight back. I broke practically everything, and this guy’s on top of me under the water. I can’t see what’s going on,” Duffy said.

Investigators say they have cell phone video of the fight that was provided by one of Duffy’s friends.

Dana was released Friday on $7,500 bail. He is due back in court in July.